Pneumatic swim cap



Jan. 13, 1970 A. N. ABBOTT 3,488,77

PNEUMATIC SWIM CAP Filed June 30, 1967 IN V EN TOR. A5607- 7;

4 (/GUS US IV.

United States Patent O 3,488,774 PNEUMATIC SWIM CAP Augustus N. Abbott, 301 W. Green Bay St., Shawano, Wis. 54166 Filed June 30, 1967, Ser. No. 650,288 Int. Cl. A42b 1/12 US. Cl. 2-68 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A swim cap having a distensible headband of elastic material. The headband is of a two-ply construction forming a fluid receiving pocket therebetween. Fluid is introduced into the pocket through a check valve, accessible from the exterior of the headband, to fill the pocket and cause the headband to expand to tightly complement the contour of the head of the wearer, thus preventing water from seeping between the cap and head.

This invention relates to a new and novel article of wearing apparel, and more particularly to a swim cap having a headband adapted to be shaped to fit snugly to the contour of the head.

Women usully wear swim caps while bathing to prevent their hair from getting wet. However, after several uses, the cap material loosens and stretches, enabling water to seep between the bottom edge of the cap and the head of the wearer.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a swim cap having a headband which can be distended to snugly fit the contour of the head, regardless of the number of times it is used, to prevent water seepage to the hair of the wearer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a swim cap of the character indicated whose headband is distended quickly and eflflciently by the application of fluid pressure after the cap is disposed on the head.

In order to effect these objects, the headband of the swim cap is formed from a two-ply construction of distensible material, forming a fluid receiving pocket therebetween. Fluid is introduced into the pocket through a check valve, distending the headband into snug engagement with the head.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side view in elevation of the swim cap of the present invention, illustrated in position on the head of the wearer;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the swim cap shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view of the valve structure associated with the headband of the cap, and further illustrating the headband prior to distention;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, but illustrating the headband after it has been distended; and

FIGURE 5 is a side view in elevation of another form of the swim cap of the present invention, illustrated in position on the head of the wearer.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like elements indica e like numerals throughout the several views, the embodiment of the swim cap illustrated in FIGURES 1-4, is generally designated by the numeral 10.

The swim cap is formed from distensible rubber material, and is provided with a crown portion 11 and a headband 12.

The headband 12 is of a two-ply construction, the plies being indicated by numerals 14 and 16. The plies 14 and 16 completely encircle the bottom edge of crown "ice 11, and are spaced by a coextensive fluid receiving pocket or chamber 18.

The inner ply 16 of headband 12 is formed from soft, elastic and distensible rubber, while the outer ply 14 is reinforced and thickened rubber and accordingly, less elastic.

As shown in FIGURE 3, inner ply 16 is formed with a plurality of overlapping, continuous pleats disposed circumferentially with respect to'the headband 12. The pleats are in a substantially flat condition prior to inflation, which distends inwardly against the wearers head, as in FIGURE 4, when fluid is introduced in chamber 18.

A valve assembly, generally designated as 20, enables fluid or an inflating agent, such as air, helium, carbon dioxide or any other suitable available liquid or gas to be dispensed into pocket 18. Valve assembly 20 includes an exteriorly accessible stem 22 projecting from outer ply 14 of headband 12. Stem 22 includes an axial orifice 24 which also extends through outer ply 14 to provide communication between the exterior of cap 10 and pocket 18. Orifice 24 is norm-ally closed by a one-way flap valve 26, hinged to the inner surface 28 of outer ply 14.

For aesthetic effect, and in order to hide stem 22 from view, an ornament 30 is hinged to cap 10 above ply 14 t cover stem 22.

In use, cap 10 is first disposed upon the head of wearer W. Ornament 30 is then pivoted and raised to expose stem 22 of valve assembly 20. Fluid under pressure is then introduced into pocket 18 through orifice 24 in valve stem 20. The fluid will cause flap valve 26 to pivot, opening communication between orifice 24 and pocket 18. The inner ply 16 of headband 12, being formed from soft, elastic rubber will distend under the urging of the fluid in pocket 18 until it fits snugly about the head of the wearer W. Outer ply 14 being thickened and reinforced, will remain in position. The inner ply 16 will also be shaped to the contour of the head as it is soft and pliable. The seal thus etfected between the headband 12 and head wiii prevent water from seeping to the hair of the wearer.

The fluid pressure within pocket 18 will be maintained, as the fluid pressure upon flap valve 26 will seal communication between orifice .24 and pocket 18. In order to remove the fluid from pocket 18, flap valve 26 is opened by moving a thin elongated instrument through orifice 24 and opening flap valve 26.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a slightly modified form of swim cap, designated by numeral 32. The headband 12 of swim cap 32 is of identical construction as headband 12, except it is curved to cover the earsv 34 of wearer W, which is usually the most difficult area to keep dry.

While specific embodiments of my invention have been disclosed in the foregoing description, it Will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A swim cap with an inflatable headband conforming snugly to a wearers head and providing a water-tight seal in use, said cap comprising:

(A) a crown portion (B) an elastic headband secured to and coextensive with the bottom edge of said crown including (1) an inner and outer ply of flexible material, spaced apart between the longitudinal edges and forming an inflatable chamber therebetween,

(a) a plurality of overlapping pleats formed in said inner ply and disposed circumferentially with respect to said headband and remaining in a flattened condition prior t inflation of said chamber. (2) a substantially cylindrical valve stem (a) integrally secured at one end to the exterior surface of said outer ply, and

3 (b) formed with an axial passageway for introducing fluid under pressure into said chamber.

(3) a flap valve hingedly secured to the inner surface of said outer ply normally covering said passageway and preventing communication between said passageway and inflatable chamber (C) a decorative, flexible cover element (1) formed with a concavity on the inner surface for normally overlying said projecting valve stem and concealing said stem from external view, and

(2) hingedly secured to said crown portion immediately adjacent said outer ply to provide rapid access to said valve stem for inflating said chamber.

2. A swim cap in accordance with claim 1, wherein References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 562,817 6/1896 Frick et a1. 1,156,238 10/1915 Litchfield 268 1,491,258 4/1924 Gluckin 268 1,898,954 2/1933 Gustafson 2-68 3,108,283 10/1963 Gasaway 268 3,113,319 12/1963 Vail 2-68 3,403,406 10/ 1968 Weissberg 268 H. HAMPTON HUNTER, Primary Examiner 

